sigh

we went off to this extremely ulu place right at the edge of lake khanka, which straddles across the border of both russia and china. it's sooo ulu, the guide hasn't been there b4, n we sort of got lost along the way; we had to keep asking for directions. and even many of the locals don't know the way there.

the place has no running water (their drinking water comes from a well n is sort of sandy) and has toilets reminiscent of that in yunnan when i visited the place with tchs in 2002. haha. the toilets sure brought back fond memories of yunnan. o yes, n the wind was howling all the time and it was very cold. but it was a very pretty place, nestled within the woods.

the owner has a 4 dogs - a dalmation, a blakc medium sized one, and 2 little brown ones. n i think they r so cute! the dogs would frolick around the place and prance among the trees, and they seemed so happy. bleh. i suppose i've got a soft spot for dogs.

anyway, we had goen to the lake to go bird watching. but apparently, there were some administative cock ups, and we can't go onto the lake, which is a protected nature reserve. so we travlled hundreds of kilometres for naught. bleh. i feel so cheated by the agency.

i felt very sad and disappointed leaving the place, not jsut becuz i didn't see the birds, but becuz i'm missing the nice quiet environment and the dogs already. i think i would have a pack of dogs if i were to have a big enough piece of land.

somehow i've been rather troubled, worried and a tad depressed today. don't really know y. my parents are surprisinglu optimistic and jolly, which isn't that bad.

joshua passed his driving with 12 points today and he smsed to let me know. i'm glad for him, but the thought of driving's accentuating my sucky mood.

~.~.~.~.~.~

in retrospect in photos...

we were freezing our butt off right at the edge of lake khanka with its unobstructed howling winds. the environment was very peaceful though - forested and pleasant.we had one of my best meals ever. we had koi right from the lake, flame-grilled with tomatoes, onions and sourcream. plus other misc russian country stuff.we had also gone to see a siberian tiger (or amur tiger, as the locals call it) reproductive farm, run by this esteem zoologist. really pleasant man, and really majestic (and cuddly looking) tigers.